Ergonomic IV systems and methods

ABSTRACT

An IV catheter system may include a catheter component with a catheter hub, a cannula extending distally from the catheter hub, and a securement platform. The securement platform may include a wing, which may extend from the catheter hub. The IV catheter system may also include a needle component with a needle hub, a needle extending distally from the needle hub along an axis, and a grip extending from the needle hub. The grip may be generally parallel to the axis and disposed on a side of the needle hub. The wing and the grip may be positioned to facilitate manipulation with a single hand to move the IV catheter system from an insertion configuration towards a fluid delivery configuration.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/461,358, filed on Mar. 16, 2017, entitled ERGONOMIC IV SYSTEMS ANDMETHODS, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 62/314,260, filed on Mar. 28, 2016, and entitled ERGONOMIC IVSYSTEMS AND METHODS, which are incorporated herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present invention is generally directed to systems and methods forintravenous (“IV”) delivery, by which fluids can be administereddirectly to the vascular system of a patient. More particularly, thepresent invention is directed to IV catheter systems and methods thatfacilitate insertion into the patient and/or motion from an insertionconfiguration to a fluid delivery configuration in which fluid can bedelivered to the patient through the IV catheter system. An IV cathetersystem according to the invention is used broadly herein to describecomponents used to deliver the fluid to the patient, for use inarterial, intravenous, intravascular, peritoneal, and/or non-vascularadministration of fluid. Of course, one of skill in the art may use anIV catheter system to administer fluids to other locations within apatient's body.

Known IV catheter systems and methods have a number of deficiencies.Many such systems require the clinician to use two hands to position theIV catheter system and/or insert the needle into the fluid deliverylocation on the patient (for example, the vein into which fluid is to bedelivered). Further, many such systems require the clinician to use twohands to move the IV catheter system from the insertion configuration toa fluid delivery configuration, in which the needle is removed from thecannula to permit fluid to be delivered to the vein through the cannula.Thus, the clinician is required to stabilize the patient's arm or otherbody part having the fluid delivery location prior to insertion of theIV catheter system. As a result, extra time is required for theclinician to initiate transfusion. Further, the clinician is unable toperform any other task, such as stabilizing or reassuring the patient,during insertion and/or motion to the fluid delivery configuration.

Accordingly, there is a need for IV catheter systems and methods thatfacilitate IV catheter system placement, insertion, and/or preparationfor fluid delivery. There is a further need for such IV catheter systemsthat are inexpensive, easy to manufacture, and versatile.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to an IVcatheter system with enhanced ergonomics. In some embodiments, the IVcatheter system may be inserted and moved toward the fluid deliveryconfiguration with only one hand. Moving the IV catheter system towardthe fluid delivery configuration may facilitate “hooding” of the needle.In some instances, a diameter of a targeted vein may be relatively smallcompared to a gauge of the needle. Thus, it is not uncommon for abeveled portion of the needle to breach or otherwise damage the veinwhile advancing the cannula and the needle into the vein. Accordingly,it is a common practice to “hood” the needle once the vein has beenaccessed via the needle and tip of the cannula.

A process of hooding the needle involves maintaining a stationaryposition of the partially inserted cannula while simultaneouslywithdrawing the beveled portion of the needle into the inner lumen ofthe cannula. Once the needle has been hooded, the cannula may beadvanced into the vein to a desired position. With the needle hooded,there may be no danger of damaging the vein while advancing the cannula.In some instances, when the needle is hooded, the beveled portion may bewithdrawn into the inner lumen of the cannula such that the beveledportion is at least proximate the tip of the cannula. Thus, the needleextending through the cannula and at least proximate the tip of thecannula may provide increased rigidity as the cannula is advanced intothe vein.

In some embodiments, the securement platform may be positioned toreceive first contact from the first digit of the hand of the user tourge the catheter hub distally. The first digit of the hand may include,for example, a thumb of the user. In some embodiments, the grip of theneedle component may be positioned to receive second contact from thesecond digit of the hand simultaneously with receipt of the firstcontact such that the first and second contacts cooperate to move the IVcatheter system from the insertion configuration toward the fluiddelivery configuration. The second digit may include, for example, anindex finger of the user.

In some embodiments, the grip may include an upper surface. In someembodiments, the upper surface of the grip may receive the secondcontact. In some embodiments, when the IV catheter system is in theinsertion configuration, the upper surface of the grip may be coplanarwith an upper surface of a particular wing of the securement platform.In some embodiments, a distal end of the grip may contact a proximal endof the particular wing when the IV catheter system is in the insertionconfiguration. The upper surface of the particular wing may receive thefirst contact.

In some embodiments, the grip may include a support surface. In someembodiments, when the IV catheter system is in the insertionconfiguration, at least a portion of a bottom surface of the particularwing may contact the support surface. In some embodiments, the grip mayinclude a stop surface, which may separate the upper surface of the gripand the support surface. In some embodiments, when the IV cathetersystem is in the insertion configuration, the proximal end of theparticular wing may contact the stop surface. In some embodiments,during motion of the IV catheter system from the insertion configurationtoward the fluid delivery configuration, at least a portion of thebottom surface of the particular wing may slide along the supportsurface.

In some embodiments, the grip may be disposed on a side of the needlehub. In some embodiments, the needle hub may include at least onegripping protrusion, which may be disposed proximal to the grip. In someembodiments, a particular gripping protrusion may be disposed on anopposite side of the needle hub as the grip. In some embodiments, theparticular gripping protrusion may be positioned to receive thirdcontact from a third digit of the hand of the user. The third digit mayinclude, for example, a middle or ring finger of the user.

In some embodiments, once the IV catheter system is moved toward thefluid delivery configuration to hood the needle and the cannula isadvanced to the desired position, an actuator button may be depressed tomove the needle into the needle hub such that the needle is entirelyenclosed within the needle hub in the fluid delivery configuration. Insome embodiments, the actuator button may be disposed on a top portionof the needle hub, which may facilitate easy access of the actuatorbutton and prevent blocking of the actuator button by the first digitand/or the second digit. In some embodiments, where the IV cathetersystem includes the first wing and the second wing, the actuator buttonmay be disposed between the first wing and the second wing.

The IV catheter system may include any catheter system that includes aneedle retractable into a needle hub. For example, in some embodiments,the IV catheter system may include the AUTOGUARD™ shielded cathetercommercially available from Becton, Dickinson, and Company. In someembodiments, the IV catheter system may include any catheter system thatincludes a needle movable from a first position when the IV cathetersystem is in the insertion configuration, to a second position when theneedle is hooded and the IV catheter system is transitioning from theinsertion configuration to the fluid delivery configuration, and to athird, retracted or enclosed position when the IV catheter system is inthe fluid delivery configuration.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention may beincorporated into certain embodiments of the invention and will becomemore fully apparent from the following description and appended claims,or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forthhereinafter. The present invention does not require that all theadvantageous features and all the advantages described herein beincorporated into every embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the manner in which the above-recited and other featuresand advantages of the invention are obtained will be readily understood,a more particular description of the invention briefly described abovewill be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof that areillustrated in the appended drawings. These drawings depict only typicalembodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered tolimit the scope of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an IV catheter system according to oneembodiment;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of an IV catheter systemaccording to one alternative embodiment;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of an IV catheter system according to yetanother embodiment, illustrating the IV catheter system in the insertionconfiguration;

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the IV catheter system of FIG. 3A,illustrating the IV catheter system moved towards a fluid deliveryconfiguration;

FIG. 3C is a perspective view of the IV catheter system of FIG. 3A,illustrating the IV catheter system in the fluid delivery configuration;

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of an IV catheter system according to yetanother embodiment, illustrating the IV catheter system in the insertionconfiguration;

FIG. 4B is a side view of the IV catheter system of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4C is a perspective view of the IV catheter system of FIG. 4A,illustrating the IV catheter system moved towards the fluid deliveryconfiguration;

FIG. 4D is a perspective view of the IV catheter system of FIG. 4A,illustrating the IV catheter system moved towards the fluid deliveryconfiguration;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an IV catheter system according to yetanother embodiment, illustrating the IV catheter system with two grips;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an IV catheter system according to yetanother embodiment, illustrating the IV catheter system in the insertionconfiguration; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an IV catheter system according to yetanother embodiment, illustrating the IV catheter system in the insertionconfiguration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The presently preferred embodiments of the present invention can beunderstood by reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numbersindicate identical or functionally similar elements. It will be readilyunderstood that the components of the present invention, as generallydescribed and illustrated in the figures herein, could be arranged anddesigned in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, thefollowing more detailed description, as represented in the figures, isnot intended to limit the scope of the invention as claimed, but ismerely representative of presently preferred embodiments of theinvention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an IV catheter system 100 according toone embodiment. The IV catheter system 100 may be connected to a supplyof fluid to be infused. The fluid supply (not shown) may include a bagof blood or medication to be delivered to the patient, a drip chamberthat regulates flow of the fluid to the IV catheter system 100, and/orother components involved with the supply of fluid to the IV cathetersystem 100. The IV catheter system 100 may have a number of components,as shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1. These components mayinclude a catheter component 102, a needle component 104, an extensiontube 106, a clamp 108, and/or a luer lock adapter 110.

The catheter component 102 may be inserted into the fluid deliverylocation in the patient in order to convey the fluid to the patient. Theneedle component 104 may facilitate insertion of the catheter component102 to the fluid delivery location. The extension tube 106 may conveythe fluid to the catheter component 102. The clamp 108 may be used tomanually block fluid flow to the catheter component 102 when it isdesired to stop or pause fluid delivery. The luer lock adapter 110 maybe readily connected to the fluid supply, for example, via connection toa complementary luer lock (not shown) of the fluid supply.

As embodied in FIG. 1, the IV catheter system 100 may be an integratedIV catheter system, as the extension tube 106 is pre-attached to thecatheter component 102. In other embodiments, IV catheter systems ofvarious open, integrated, and/or safety integrated configurations may beused.

The catheter component 102 may have various components, which mayinclude a catheter hub 120, a securement platform 122, an extensiontubing junction 124, and a cannula 126. The catheter hub 120 may have agenerally tubular and/or hollow conical configuration, and may have aproximal end 130 and a distal end 132. The catheter hub 120 may beshaped to define a chamber 134 through which the fluid flows to reachthe fluid delivery location. The catheter hub 120 may have a needle port136 at the proximal end 130. The chamber 134 may contain a septum 138that is designed to block flow of blood and/or the fluid to be deliveredfrom the chamber 134 through the needle port 136. The cannula 126 may besecured to the distal end 132 of the catheter hub 120.

The securement platform 122 may have a generally planar configurationdesigned to permit the securement platform 122 to be secured to the skinof the patient, proximate the fluid delivery location, to keep thecatheter component 102 securely in place as fluid delivery takes place.As embodied in FIG. 1, the securement platform 122 may have a first wing140 with a generally planar shape, and a second wing 142 that also has agenerally planar shape generally coplanar with the first wing 140. Thesecond wing 142 may be positioned on the opposite side of the catheterhub 120 from the first wing 140. Thus, relative to the catheter hub 120,the first wing 140 and the second wing 142 may extend outward inopposite directions from the catheter hub 120. The first wing 140 andthe second wing 142 may both be fixedly secured to the catheter hub 120,and may each have a generally triangular shape when viewed from along adirection perpendicular to the securement platform 122. In thealternative, the first wing 140 and/or the second wing 142 may have anyshape, including but not limited to polygonal shapes such as triangularand rectangular shapes, and non-polygonal shapes such as circular,semicircular, oval, oblong, and irregular shapes. Some examples of thesealternative shapes will be shown in subsequent embodiments. The firstwing 140 and the second wing 142 may each have a trailing edge 144oriented toward the proximal end 130 of the catheter hub 120.

The needle component 104 may have a needle hub 150, a grip 152, and aneedle 154. The needle hub 150 may be detachably coupled to the catheterhub 120 of the catheter component 102. The grip 152 may extend outwardfrom the needle hub 150. The needle 154 may be removably positionedwithin the cannula 126 such that the needle 154 facilitates the processof accessing the fluid delivery location (for example, a vein) andproper positioning of the cannula 126 to deliver the fluid to the fluiddelivery location.

The needle hub 150 may have a generally tubular shape with a proximalend 160 and a distal end 162. The needle hub 150 may have a boss 164positioned at the distal end 162; the boss 164 may be insertable intothe needle port 136 of the catheter hub 120 of the catheter component102.

The grip 152 may have a generally planar shape that extends outward fromthe needle hub 150. When viewed from a direction perpendicular to thegrip 152, the grip 152 may have an oblong and/or partially ellipticalshape. The grip 152, the first wing 140, and/or the second wing 142 mayhave one or more grip features 170, as shown on the grip 252, which mayhelp provide a secure interface that facilitates gripping and/or movingthe grip 152 by hand. The grip 152 may have a leading edge 172.

The IV catheter system 100 may have an insertion configuration, in whichthe IV catheter system 100 is readily insertable to position the cannula126 in the fluid delivery location, and a fluid delivery configuration,in which the fluid flow through the cannula 126 is relatively unimpeded.In FIG. 1, the IV catheter system 100 is in the insertion configuration.The needle 154 is positioned within the cannula 126 to provide asharpened tip for penetrating tissue and a relatively stiff body thatsupports the cannula 126 during insertion. The boss 164 of the needlehub 150 is positioned within the needle port 136 of the catheter hub120. The needle 154 passes through the septum 138 of the cathetercomponent 102.

The IV catheter system 100 may be inserted into position by positioningthe tip of the cannula 126 proximate the fluid delivery location (forexample, the patient's vein). The securement platform 122 may be placedon the patient's skin, proximate the fluid delivery location and/or heldin the clinician's hand. The catheter component 102 and the needlecomponent 104 may be advanced to push the cannula 126 until the tip ofthe cannula 126 penetrates the surrounding tissue and reaches the fluiddelivery location. If desired, the catheter component 102 may beadvanced by pushing a push surface of the catheter component 102. The“push surface” is a surface that is generally proximally-oriented, andthus can receive contact from the clinician's hand to urge the cathetercomponent 102 and the needle component 104, together, distally.

Once the tip of the cannula 126 has reached the fluid delivery location,the IV catheter system 100 may be moved to the fluid deliveryconfiguration. This may be done by withdrawing the needle component 104proximally from the catheter component 102. This may initially cause theboss 164 to be withdrawn proximally from within the needle port 136. Theneedle 154 may also be withdrawn proximally from the cannula 126, andthen through the chamber 134, including the septum 138. The needle 154may pass out of the chamber 134 through the needle port 136, thuscompleting motion of the IV catheter system 100 to the fluid deliveryconfiguration. Fluid flow to the fluid delivery location may now beaccomplished by urging the fluid to flow through the extension tube 106,into the chamber 134, and through the cannula 126 to the fluid deliverylocation.

The IV catheter system 100 may advantageously be designed to facilitateinsertion to the fluid delivery location to be readily performed with asingle hand. For example, during insertion, the clinician may, with onehand, hold the catheter component 102 and the needle component 104, forexample, by grasping the securement platform 122 and the grip 152. Theclinician may then, with the same hand, apply gentle pressure to one ormore push surfaces of the catheter component 102 (for example, thetrailing edges 144 of the first wing 140 and/or the second wing 142) tourge the tip of the cannula 126 to penetrate the patient's skin andultimately reach the fluid delivery location. If desired, one or morelocking features (not shown) may be used to hold the catheter component102 and the needle component 104 together until the clinician applies athreshold force to move the IV catheter system 100 from the insertionconfiguration to the fluid delivery configuration. Such locking featuresmay take the form of interlocking features (not shown) between the boss164 and the needle port 136, and/or the like.

The IV catheter system 100 may be designed to provide visualconfirmation of proper placement in a blood vessel. For example, atleast a portion of the catheter hub 120 may be translucent to providevisibility into the chamber 134. Thus, when the tip of the cannula 126enters a vein, the resulting blood flow, or “flash,” may be visiblethrough the exterior wall of the catheter hub 120 as the blood entersthe chamber 134. The extension tubing junction 124 and the extensiontube 106 may also, optionally, be translucent. In some embodiments, theflash may extend through the extension tube 106 to the luer lock adapter110. The luer lock adapter 110 may be coupled to the fluid supply in amanner that substantially prevents blood leakage.

Further, the IV catheter system 100 may advantageously be designed tofacilitate motion from the insertion configuration to the fluid deliveryconfiguration with a single hand. For example, the clinician may, with asingle hand, which may be the same hand used to insert the IV cathetersystem 100 into the fluid delivery location, grasp the cathetercomponent 102 and the needle component 104 and withdraw the needlecomponent 104 proximally from the catheter component 102. The cathetercomponent 102 may be left substantially in place so that only the needlecomponent 104 moves significantly to move the IV catheter system 100from the insertion configuration to the fluid delivery configuration.

This may be done by placing digits of the hand to contact the pullsurface(s) of the needle component 104 and the push surface(s) of thecatheter component 102, and then with those digits, pulling the needlecomponent 104 proximally while pushing the catheter component 102distally to keep it from moving proximally with the needle component104. For example, the trailing edges 144 of the securement platform 122may act as push surfaces, while the edge 172 of the grip 152 may act asa pull surface. The clinician may place one or more fingers on theleading edge 172 of the grip 152 and pulling proximally, while pushingwith a thumb and/or one or more other fingers on the trailing edges 144of the securement platform 122. Thus, the catheter component 102 may bekept in place with the tip of the cannula 126 at the fluid deliverylocation while the needle component 104 is withdrawn proximally from thecatheter component 102 to unblock the fluid delivery path to the fluiddelivery location.

The relative positions of the pull and push surfaces may facilitatesingle-handed operation in the manner described above. If desired, thecoupling of the needle hub 150 with the catheter hub 120 may be suchthat the needle hub 150 is rotatable relative to the catheter hub 120while the IV catheter system 100 is in the insertion configuration.Thus, the clinician may, with the hand, rotate the grip 152 to anorientation that is most comfortable for pulling on the leading edge172, prior to pulling on the leading edge 172 and pushing on thetrailing edges 144.

The septum 138 may have a “low friction” or “low drag” design configuredto provide relatively low resistance to withdrawal of the needle 154proximally through the septum 138, which occurs as the IV cathetersystem 100 transitions from the insertion configuration to the fluiddelivery configuration. The resistance to withdrawal of the needle 154through the septum 138 may be sufficiently low that the clinician canrelatively easily move the IV catheter system 100 from the insertionconfiguration to the fluid delivery configuration with only a singlehand. In some embodiments, the resistance to withdrawal may be, onaverage, less than about 50 gf.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of an IV catheter system 200according to one alternative embodiment. The IV catheter system 200 mayhave components that generally correspond to those of the IV cathetersystem 100 of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 illustrates only a catheter component 202,a needle component 204, and the distal end of an extension tube 206connected to the catheter component 202. The IV catheter system 200 mayhave a configuration similar to that of the IV catheter system 100 ofFIG. 1; however, some components may be shaped differently to providealternative ergonomics.

The catheter component 202 may have a catheter hub 220, a securementplatform 222, an extension tubing junction 224, and a cannula 226. Thecatheter hub 220 may have a generally tubular and/or hollow conicalshape, with a proximal end 230 and a distal end 232. The catheter hub220 may have a generally translucent exterior wall shaped to define achamber 234 through which fluid flows to reach the fluid deliverylocation through the cannula 226. The catheter hub 220 may have a needleport 236 that connects to the needle component 204, proximate theproximal end 230 of the catheter hub 220. The catheter hub 220 may alsohave a septum 238 positioned within the chamber 234. The septum 238 maybe a “low drag” septum as described previously.

The securement platform 222 may be attached to the skin of the patientduring fluid delivery to keep the cannula 226 in place at the fluiddelivery location. The securement platform 222 may have a first wing 240and a second wing 242, which may both be generally planar in shape, andmay extend in opposite directions relative to the catheter hub 220. Eachof the first wing 240 and the second wing 242 may have a generallyrectangular shape when viewed from perpendicular to the securementplatform 222, with a trailing edge 244 that can act as a push surface.

The needle component 204 may have a needle hub 250, a grip 252, and aneedle 254. The needle hub 250 may have a generally cylindrical shapewith a proximal end 260 and a distal end 262. The needle hub 250 mayalso have a boss 264 that protrudes from the distal end 262 to interfacewith the needle port 236 of the catheter hub 220.

The grip 252 may have a generally planar shape, with a generallyrectangular shape when viewed from perpendicular to the grip 252. Thegrip 252 may have a leading edge (not visible), which may serve as apull surface. The grip 252, the first wing 240, and/or the second wing242 may have one or more grip features 270, which may help provide asecure interface that facilitates gripping and/or moving the grip 152 byhand.

To move the IV catheter system 200 from the insertion configuration tothe fluid delivery configuration, the clinician may position a digit(for example, a finger) on the leading edge of the grip 252, and a digit(for example, a finger or thumb) on the trailing edge 244 of the firstwing 240 and/or the second wing 242. The clinician may then pull theleading edge proximally, as indicated by the arrow 290, and may push thetrailing edge 244 of the first wing 240 and/or the second wing 242distally, as indicated by the arrow 292. This may cause the cathetercomponent 202 to remain in place while the needle component 204 iswithdrawn proximally from the catheter component 202.

The grip 252 and the first wing 240 may be positioned parallel to eachother, and may be positioned in close proximity to each other such thatthey are in abutting relation to each other in the insertionconfiguration, and during the initial stages of motion from theinsertion configuration to the fluid delivery configuration. In order tomaintain the desired relative positioning between the grip 252 and thefirst wing 240, the grip 252 and/or the first wing 240 may have one ormore alignment features that maintain relative positioning and/ororientation between the first wing 240 and the grip 252.

Specifically, the grip 252 may have an alignment feature in the form ofan alignment ridge 280, which may protrude toward the first wing 240,and may be received in a complementary alignment feature (not shown)such as a trough or other feature on the surface of the first wing 240that faces toward the grip 252. The alignment ridge 280 and thecomplementary alignment feature may help keep the needle 254 parallel tothe cannula 226 during motion of the IV catheter system 200 to the fluiddelivery configuration. This may help ensure that the needle component204 can be smoothly withdrawn from the catheter component 202. Morespecifically, application of imbalanced force on the catheter component202 and/or the needle component 204 may urge the needle component 204 torotate relative to the catheter component 202. For example, if theclinician is pulling on the leading edge of the grip 252 while pushingon the trailing edge 244 of the first wing 240, this may urge the needlecomponent 204 to rotate clockwise, relative to the view of FIG. 2, withrespect to the catheter component 202.

The alignment ridge 280 and the complementary alignment feature of thefirst wing 240 may help ensure that such relative rotation does notoccur until the needle component 204 has been withdrawn from thecatheter component 202 sufficiently to detach the alignment ridge 280from the complementary alignment feature of the first wing 240. Thus,binding and/or other undesired interactions between the cathetercomponent 202 and the needle component 204 may be avoided during motionfrom the insertion configuration to the fluid delivery configuration.Other examples of IV catheter systems according to various embodimentsare described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application 62/296,385, filedFeb. 17, 2016, now U.S. application Ser. No. 15/286,168, filed Oct. 5,2016 and which are incorporated herein.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of an IV catheter system 1600, accordingto some embodiments. In some embodiments, the IV catheter system 1600may include an insertion configuration, illustrated in FIG. 3A. In someembodiments, the IV catheter system 1600 may include a cathetercomponent 1602, which may include one or more of the following: acatheter hub 1604, a cannula 1606, and a securement platform 1608. Insome embodiments, the catheter hub 1604 may include a distal end 1610and a proximal end 1612. In some embodiments, the catheter hub 1604 mayinclude a needle port disposed at the proximal end 1612 of the catheterhub 1604, through which a needle 1616 may extend. In some embodiments,the cannula 1606 may extend distally from the distal end 1610 of thecatheter hub 1604. In some embodiments, the securement platform 1608 mayinclude a first wing 1614 a and/or a second wing 1614 b, which mayextend outwardly from the catheter hub 1604.

In some embodiments, the IV catheter system 1600 may include a needlecomponent 1618, which may include one or more of the following: a needlehub 1620, the needle 1616, a first grip 1622 a, and a second grip 1622 b(not illustrated in FIG. 3A). In some embodiments, the first grip 1622 amay be disposed on an opposite side of the needle hub 1620 as the secondgrip 1622 b. In some embodiments, the needle hub 1620 may include adistal end 1624, a proximal end 1626, and an actuator button 1628. Insome embodiments, the actuator button 1628 may be disposed on a topportion of the needle hub 1620.

In some embodiments, the needle 1616 may extend distally from the needlehub 1620 along an axis 1630. In some embodiments, the wings 1614 a, 1614b may be parallel to the axis 1630. In some embodiments, the first grip1622 a and/or the second grip 1622 b may be generally parallel to theaxis 1630 and/or disposed on a side of the needle hub 1620. In someembodiments, the first grip 1622 a and/or the second grip 1622 b mayextend from the side and/or a bottom of the needle hub 1620. The firstgrip 1622 a and/or the second grip 1622 b may be integrally formed withthe needle hub 1620 or may be coupled with the needle hub 1620 via anysuitable mechanism.

As illustrated in FIG. 3A, in some embodiments, the needle component1618 may include the first grip 1622 a but not the second grip 1622 b.In some embodiments, the second grip 1622 a may allow the user to reachthe hand of the user over the IV catheter system 1600 and cradle boththe first grip 1622 a and the second grip 1622 b in the hand of theuser. In some embodiments, the needle hub 1620 may be long enough toenclose the needle 1616, capturing both a proximal and distal end of theneedle 1616. Thus, the user may prefer to cradle both the first grip1622 a and the second grip 1622 b to better support the length of theneedle hub 1620.

In some embodiments, the first wing 1614 a may be positioned to receivefirst contact from the first digit of the hand of the user to urge thecatheter hub 1604 distally. The first digit of the hand may include, forexample, a thumb of the user. In some embodiments, the first grip 1622 aof the needle component may be positioned to receive second contact fromthe second digit of the hand simultaneously with receipt of the firstcontact such that the first and second contacts cooperate to move the IVcatheter system 1600 from the insertion configuration toward the fluiddelivery configuration. The second digit may include, for example, anindex finger of the user.

In some embodiments, the first grip 1622 a may include an upper surface1632. In some embodiments, the upper surface 1632 may receive the secondcontact. In some embodiments, when the IV catheter system 1600 is in theinsertion configuration, the upper surface 1632 may be coplanar with anupper surface 1634 of the first wing 1614 a of the securement platform1608. In some embodiments, a distal end of the first grip 1622 a maycontact a proximal end of the first wing 1614 a when the IV cathetersystem 1600 is in the insertion configuration. In some embodiments, theupper surface 1634 of the first wing 1614 a may receive the firstcontact. In embodiments where the second grip 1622 b is present, thesecond grip 1622 b may be configured similarly to the first grip 1622 a.Movement of the second grip 1622 b with respect to the second wing 1614b may be similar to movement of the first grip 1622 a with respect tothe first wing 1614 a. In some embodiments, the second grip 1622 b maybe a mirror image of the first grip 1622 a.

In some embodiments, the needle hub 1620 may include a first grippingprotrusion 1638 a and/or a second gripping protrusion 1638 b, which mayeach be disposed proximal to the first grip 1622 a and/or the secondgrip 1622 b. In some embodiments, the second gripping protrusion 1638 bmay be disposed on an opposite side of the needle hub 1620 as the firstgrip 1622 a. In some embodiments, the second gripping protrusion 1638 bmay be positioned to receive third contact from a third digit of thehand of the user simultaneously with the first contact and the secondcontact, which may provide additional support and control of the IVcatheter device 1600. The third digit may include, for example, a middleor ring finger of the user.

In some embodiments, the actuator button 1628 may be disposed on the topportion of the needle hub 1620, which may facilitate easy access of theactuator button 1628 and prevent blocking of the actuator button 1628 bythe first digit and/or the second digit during movement toward the fluiddelivery configuration.

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the IV catheter system 1600,illustrating the IV catheter system 1600 moved towards the fluiddelivery configuration. In some embodiments, when the IV catheter system1600 is moved towards the fluid delivery configuration, the proximal endof the first wing 1614 a and the distal end of the first grip 1622 a maybe spaced apart. In some embodiments, the IV catheter system 1600 may beinserted and moved toward the fluid delivery configuration with only onehand. Moving the IV catheter system 1600 toward the fluid deliveryconfiguration may facilitate “hooding” of the needle 1616. In someinstances, a diameter of a targeted vein may be relatively smallcompared to a gauge of the needle 1616. Thus, it is not uncommon for abeveled portion 1640 of the needle 1616 to breach or otherwise damagethe vein while advancing the cannula 1606 and the needle 1616 into thevein. Accordingly, it is a common practice to “hood” the needle 1616once the vein has been accessed via the needle 1616 and tip 1642 of thecannula 1606.

A process of hooding the needle 1616 may involve maintaining astationary position of the partially inserted cannula 1606 whilesimultaneously withdrawing the beveled portion 1640 of the needle 1616into the inner lumen of the cannula 1606. Once the needle 1616 has beenhooded, the cannula 1606 may be advanced into the vein to a desiredposition. With the needle 1616 hooded, a danger of damaging the vein maybe greatly reduced while advancing the cannula 1606. In some instances,when the needle 1616 is hooded, the beveled portion 1640 may bewithdrawn into the inner lumen of the cannula 1606 such that the beveledportion 1640 is at least proximate the tip 1642 of the cannula 1606.Thus, the needle 1616 extending through the cannula 1606 and at leastproximate the tip 1642 of the cannula 1606 may provide increasedrigidity as the cannula 1606 is advanced into the vein. In someembodiments, the needle 1616 may include a hypodermic needle such as,for example, an introducer needle.

In some embodiments, the actuator button 1628 may be configured toretract the needle 1616 into the needle hub 1620 such that the needle1616 is entirely enclosed and/or trapped within the needle hub 1620 inthe fluid delivery configuration.

In some embodiments, the first wing 1614 a may be positioned to receivethe first contact from the first digit of the hand of the user to urgethe catheter hub 1604 distally to a position illustrated in FIG. 3B. Thefirst digit of the hand may include, for example, a thumb of the user.In some embodiments, the first grip 1622 a of the needle component maybe positioned to receive the second contact from the second digit of thehand simultaneously with receipt of the first contact such that thefirst and second contacts cooperate to move the IV catheter system 1600from the insertion configuration toward the fluid deliveryconfiguration, hooding the needle 1616, as illustrated in FIG. 3B. Thesecond digit may include, for example, an index finger of the user.

In some embodiments, in response to movement of the IV catheter system1600 towards the fluid delivery configuration and movement of thecatheter hub 1604 distally, a portion of the needle 1616 between thecatheter hub 1604 and the needle hub 1620 may be exposed.

The needle 1616 may be retracted into the needle hub 1620 in any numberof ways. In some embodiments, a spring 1644 may provide a biasing forcefor retracting the needle 1616 into the needle hub 1620 when theactuator button 1628 is depressed. FIG. 3B illustrates the spring 1644in a compressed configuration with significant stored energy.

FIG. 3C is a perspective view of the IV catheter system 1600 in thefluid delivery configuration. In some embodiments, once the IV cathetersystem 1600 is moved toward the fluid delivery configuration to hood theneedle 1616 and the cannula 1606 is advanced to the desired position,the actuator button 1628 may be depressed to move the needle 1616 intothe needle hub 1620 such that the needle 1616 is entirely enclosedwithin the needle hub 1620 in the fluid delivery configuration, asillustrated in FIG. 3C. In some embodiments, in the fluid deliveryconfiguration, the spring 1644 may be disposed in a decompressedconfiguration, having released the stored energy and moved the needle1616 into the needle hub 1620.

Referring now to FIGS. 4A-4D, in some embodiments, the first grip 1614 amay include a support surface 1646. In some embodiments, when the IVcatheter system 1600 is in the insertion configuration, as illustratedin FIGS. 4A-4B, at least a portion of a bottom surface of the first wing1614 a may contact the support surface 1646. For example, an entirebottom surface of the first wing 1614 a may contact the support surface1646.

In some embodiments, the first grip 1622 a may include a stop surface1648, which may separate the upper surface 1632 of the first grip 1622 afrom the support surface 1646. In some embodiments, when the IV cathetersystem 1600 is in the insertion configuration, the proximal end of thefirst wing 1614 a may contact the stop surface 1648. In someembodiments, the support surface 1646 may extend from the stop surface1646 to the distal edge of the first wing 1614 a. In some embodiments,the support surface 1646 may extend only part way from the stop surface1646 to the distal edge of the first wing 1614 a.

In some embodiments, during motion of the IV catheter system 1600 fromthe insertion configuration toward the fluid delivery configuration, atleast a portion of the bottom surface of the first wing 1614 a may slidealong the support surface 1646. In some embodiments, when the first wing1614 a and the first grip 1622 a are moved toward the fluid deliveryconfiguration, the first wing 1614 a and the first grip 1622 a may ormay not be spaced apart depending, for example, on an extent of thehooding of the needle 1616 or how far the needle 1616 is withdraw intothe cannula 1606.

Again, in embodiments where the second grip 1622 b is present, thesecond grip 1622 b may be configured similarly to the first grip 1622 a.Movement of the second grip 1622 b with respect to the second wing 1614b may be similar to movement of the first grip 1622 a with respect tothe first wing 1614 a. In some embodiments, the second grip 1622 b maybe a mirror image of the first grip 1622 a.

FIG. 5 illustrates the IV catheter system 1600 including the first grip1622 a and the second grip 1622 b. In some embodiments, the IV cathetersystem 1600 with the first grip 1622 a and the second grip 1622 b mayinclude the support surfaces 1646. In other embodiments, the IV cathetersystem 1600 with the first grip 1622 a and the second grip 1622 b maynot include the support surfaces 1646. In some embodiments, the actuatorbutton 1628 may be disposed between the first grip 1622 a and the secondgrip 1622 b.

FIGS. 6-7 illustrate the IV catheter system 1600 according to someembodiments. The IV catheter system 1600 is illustrated in the insertionconfiguration in FIGS. 6-7. As illustrated in FIGS. 6-7, in someembodiments, the catheter hub 1604 may not include the first wing 1614 aand/or the second wing 1614 b. In some embodiments, the grip 1622 a mayextend beyond the distal end 1612 of the catheter hub 1604 and/or may bespaced apart from the catheter hub 1604. In some embodiments, all or aportion of the grip 1622 a may be generally planar.

In some embodiments, the IV catheter system 1600 illustrated in any orall of FIGS. 3-7 may have components similar to those of the IV cathetersystems of previous embodiments. The IV catheter system 1600 illustratedin any of FIGS. 3-7 may include any catheter system that includes aneedle retractable into a needle hub. In some embodiments, the IVcatheter system 1600 may include the AUTOGUARD™ shielded cathetercommercially available from Becton, Dickinson, and Company.Specifically, in some embodiments, the IV catheter system 1600 mayinclude the INSYTE™ AUTOGUARD™ or the ANGIOCATH™ AUTOGUARD™ In someembodiments, the IV catheter system 1600 may include any catheter systemthat includes a needle movable from a first position when the IVcatheter system is in the insertion configuration, to a second positionwhen the needle is hooded and the IV catheter system is transitioningfrom the insertion configuration to the fluid delivery configuration,and to a third, retracted or enclosed position when the IV cathetersystem is in the fluid delivery configuration.

The catheter hub 1604 may or may not include a septum, such as, forexample, a blood control septum. In some embodiments, once the needle1616 is retracted, the septum may close, which may prevent blood fromflowing proximally beyond the septum. In some embodiments, when a luerconnection is made to the IV catheter system 1600, the septum may beopened, allowing flow into the catheter 1606.

In some embodiments, a method for preparing an IV catheter system, suchas, for example, the IV catheter 1600, to deliver fluid to a patient,may include positioning the IV catheter system proximate a fluiddelivery location of a patient. In some embodiments, the method may alsoinclude, with the IV catheter system in the insertion configuration,using a single hand to insert the needle and the cannula into the fluiddelivery location. In some embodiments, the method may further include,with the needle and cannula in the insertion configuration, using thesingle hand to push the wing while pulling the grip to urge the IVcatheter system to move from the insertion configuration toward thefluid delivery configuration, in which the needle is positioned outsidethe catheter hub. In some embodiments, the method may include depressingan actuator button to move the needle into a needle hub of the IVcatheter system such that the needle is entirely enclosed within theneedle hub in the fluid delivery configuration.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its structures, methods, or other essentialcharacteristics as broadly described herein and claimed hereinafter. Thedescribed embodiments are to be considered in all respects only asillustrative, and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is,therefore, indicated by the appended claims, rather than by theforegoing description. All changes that come within the meaning andrange of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within theirscope.

We claim:
 1. An IV catheter system comprising an insertion configurationand a fluid delivery configuration, the IV catheter system comprising: acatheter component comprising: a catheter hub comprising a catheter hubdistal end and a catheter hub proximal end and a needle port at thecatheter hub proximal end; a cannula extending distally from thecatheter hub distal end; a securement platform comprising a wingextending from the catheter hub; and a needle component comprising: aneedle hub comprising a needle hub distal end and a needle hub proximalend; a needle extending distally from the needle hub distal end along anaxis; and a grip extending from the needle hub beyond the catheter hubproximal end, wherein the grip comprises an upper surface and a supportsurface, wherein, in the insertion configuration, the needle ispositioned within the cannula, the needle hub distal end is coupled tothe needle hub proximal end, the upper surface of the grip is coplanarwith an upper surface of the wing, and at least a portion of a bottomsurface of the wing contacts the support surface, wherein the wing isconfigured to separate from the grip to move the IV catheter system tothe fluid delivery configuration.
 2. The IV catheter system of claim 1,wherein the wing is a first wing, wherein the securement platformfurther comprises a second wing extending from the catheter hub,generally coplanar with the first wing such that, in the fluid deliveryconfiguration, the first wing and the second wing rest on the skin,wherein the securement platform is positioned to receive first contactfrom a first digit of a hand of a user to urge the catheter hub distallyand the grip is positioned to receive second contact from a second digitof the hand simultaneously with receipt of the first contact such thatthe first and second contacts cooperate to urge the IV catheter systemto move from the insertion configuration toward the fluid deliveryconfiguration.
 3. The IV catheter system of claim 2, wherein the needlehub further comprises an actuator button configured to move the needleinto the needle hub such that the needle is entirely enclosed within theneedle hub, wherein the actuator button is disposed between the firstwing and the second wing.
 4. The IV catheter system of claim 1, whereinthe grip further comprises a stop surface, wherein the stop surfaceseparates the upper surface and the support surface, wherein, in theinsertion configuration, a proximal end of the wing contacts the stopsurface, wherein the securement platform is positioned to receive firstcontact from a first digit of a hand of a user to urge the catheter hubdistally and the grip is positioned to receive second contact from asecond digit of the hand simultaneously with receipt of the firstcontact such that the first and second contacts cooperate to urge the IVcatheter system to move from the insertion configuration toward thefluid delivery configuration.
 5. The IV catheter system of claim 4,wherein, in the insertion configuration, an entire bottom surface of thewing contacts the support surface of the grip.
 6. The IV catheter systemof claim 4, wherein, during motion of the IV catheter system from theinsertion configuration toward the fluid delivery configuration, atleast a portion of the bottom surface of the wing slides along thesupport surface of the grip.
 7. The IV catheter system of claim 6,wherein the needle hub further comprises at least one grippingprotrusion, wherein the gripping protrusion is disposed proximal to thegrip.
 8. The IV catheter system of claim 7, wherein the grippingprotrusion is disposed on an opposite side of the needle hub as thegrip, wherein the gripping protrusion is positioned to receive thirdcontact from a third digit of a hand.